A Pilgrimage Special: The Cremation Stupa

The Makutabandhana Cetiya or Cremation Stupa marks the place where Lord Buddha was cremated. We had visited it immediately after visiting the Mahaparinibbana Temple. It was a cold, misty morning when we visited it but monks and other pilgrims were already up and about. We were warned not to give away money freely since there were charlatans dressed in saffron robes and posing as monks there . The Cremation stupa was raised by the Mallas after the cremation and repaired by Asoka in the 3th century BC and again in the 5th century AD during the reign of Kumaragupta. In 1861 it was just a big mound but later a stupa consisting of a circular drum 34 m in diameter resting on a 47 m diameter platform was exposed and in the excavations, a large number of clay seals inscribed with Buddhist verses confirmed that this was the cremation of Lord Buddha. At this holy place then, pilgrims say a prayer.
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At the Makutabandhana Cetiya....
We... and other pilgrims say a prayer...


Traveling Tip: Beware of Charlatans.